JohnnyH

Yeah, but his dad will break it down and sell it for parts.

Do they just have a standard interview that the new player just signs? The more of these interviews I read the more I think of the confession in "In the Name of the Father"

...wasn't me....they'll never take me alive...inadmissable....

You're just jealous you didn't think of it first.

Can I be the first to call him 'Penners'?

The Pope

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Just shows the quality of a lot of our past signings given that average teams will not take the risk of a full buy and will only go for loans.

He threw a window at a television.

Couldn't give a toss about any other team. There is only one option here and it is the league title. As a certain bloke once said, that's our bread and butter.

Delighted. THink he could make a huge difference.

It's not me, but I think that Johnny H did come on here a few times last year.

Fail to see how you deducted that from the column. Bascombe is clearly pointing out that Rafa will not be taken for a financial ride when people start upping the cost. Rafa recognises the player he wants, puts his own valuation on him and if the club want more then that then Rafa tells them where to shove it.

Wasn't that article just saying that Real Madrid would be looking to put in a bid for Xabi? If so, then it's not a lie, just reporting something Real wanted to do. Seemed quite factual to me as I would imagine that Real did want to bid for Xabi.

I'd rather get rid of polls.

See, l told you he wanted to go... Xabi Alonso insists he has no intention of leaving Liverpool for Real Madrid despite the continued speculation that is emanating from Spain. Reds boss Rafael Benitez moved instantly to quash these rumours at the weekend, stressing Alonso is not for sale, and now the player himself has spoken out on the subject. "I want to stay at Liverpool, that is for sure," he said today. "I know there have been stories in the Spanish press but I take no notice of them. I am only interested in playing for Liverpool and I'm concentrating only on preparing for the new season."

I am clearly not trying to equate Carra, Robbie and Rushie changing their allegiences as being the same as Basque nationalists ignoring their feelings of nationality. I am trying to point out that I don't believe Xabi is pathetic enough to see playing for football teams as what determines his nationality and loyalty to his Basque upbringing. As I said earlier, I think Xabi is intelligent enough not to bring sport into his politics.

You are comparing Basque national feeling, to playing for Real and Barcelona. I think more of Xabi's intelligence to assume that he is that backward to refuse to play for Real because of where he was born. I really think yo are doing Xabi a disservice to assume he is that pathetic. Anyone who drags their politics into sport needs their head examined. I live in Glasgow and I see the knuckle draggers up here with there loyalist/republican crap, and I certainly don't see that in Xabi.

Which must make Carra, Robbie and Rushie a right disloyal shower. I really think people read to much into this Basque thing with regards to the clubs a professional player like Xabi.

So what? Do you really think in this day and age that players like Xabi are that bigoted that they wont play for Real? Come on!

I always get a bit nervous about stories like this. As much as we would like to convince ourelves that Xabi is in love with us all, and his head will not be turned, etc, the fact remains that a Spanish League title medal will always mean more to him then an English one, in the same way as an English league title medal would mean more to me then a Spanish one. He is Spanish so we know that he will want to move back at some stage and test himself with a top Spanish club. I would be very surprised if Xabi does not ask Benitez if Real are actually interested. He might not want to go, but I would bet he doesn't dismiss it completely out of hand.

That was harkness was it not?

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